(Source from The Word Among Us)

The kingdom of God will be . . . given to a people that will produce its fruit. (Matthew 21:43)

In today’s Gospel, Jesus tells a parable to some Jewish leaders about vinedressers who killed the servants sent by a landowner to collect the fruit of the harvest (Matthew 21:34-39). What is Jesus trying to say?

It would be easy to conclude that Jesus is rebuking these chief priests and elders for rejecting John the Baptist and himself. But he’s doing more than foreshadowing his death by identifying himself with the murdered son of the vineyard owner (Matthew 21:37-42). He’s not addressing only the Jewish leaders; he is speaking to us as well.

Jesus is telling us that the kingdom of God will be given to people who bear fruit. Throughout Matthew’s Gospel, we hear the same message. John the Baptist exhorted Israel’s religious leaders to “produce good fruit as evidence of your repentance” (Matthew 3:8). Jesus warned his disciples that “every tree that does not bear good fruit will be cut down” (7:19). And what’s the good fruit he is looking for? Faith in him and love for his people.

Jesus told this parable the day after entering Jerusalem to shouts of “Hosanna” (Matthew 21:9). He cured all the sick who flocked to him there, and everyone was amazed—except these leaders. Instead of accepting him and rejoicing that God’s people were healed, they questioned his authority (21:23-24). And in doing so, they bore no fruit.

But that doesn’t have to be our story. We can be a fruitful vineyard for the Lord! He has already planted the seed of faith within us. Each day he pours out grace to make us “rich soil” that produces fruit, even a hundredfold (Matthew 13:8). So let’s nurture our seed with faith-filled prayer and prune our vines with repentance and works of mercy. Let’s bear the fruit of faith, hope, and love. Let’s receive the kingdom!

“Jesus, help me to bear fruit for you today.”